1975 – And So It Begins
Just as Nixon and the Brown sisters began their photo project, the movie 'Jaws' made waves at the box office. It was also the same year Microsoft was born. In fashion, hip-huggers and leisure suits were trendy, making us think the siblings' pants here were wide at the base.
We can feel the unease from the women as this is the first photograph taken for the project. Needless to say, halfway through their beautiful venture, they would appear like professional models posing for a magazine spread. The Brown sisters are positioned as follows - from left to right; Heather, Mimi, Bebe, and Laurie.
1976 – Coordinated Outfits
If we are to guess, this matching dress is not a coincidence; it was planned. The sisters probably saw their first photo and decided it would be better if their outfits were coordinated. So, they opted for belted shirt dresses, which over time, have remained fashionable.
As the group was busy with their pet project, something significant in the tech world happened – Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak formed 'Apple Computer.' Despite their breakthrough, the duo wasn't the most popular in America – that title belonged to actor Sylvester Stallone. It was the year the first 'Rocky' film was released, and everyone raved about it.
1977 – The Force Is Strong With These Siblings
The year the first 'Star Wars' movie was shown was when the Brown sisters decided to wear dark tones. Despite their black and white photo, we could tell no one was wearing any light-colored clothing here. Of course, not counting Bebe's inner shirt.
The lives of 'Star Wars' fans would never be the same after this year, especially when a cliffhanger question was left at the end of the first film – "Who is Luke's father?" If the siblings were entertainment fans, they would have likely watched the film and wondered about the answer to that question. The siblings also probably watched other big hits in the box office like 'Smokey and the Bandit' and 'Saturday Night Fever.'
1978 – The Sisters Looked Sun-kissed
When this Nixon and the Brown sisters' project first came out, they did not include captions on the photos. So, we assume this was snapped during summer based on the women's outfits despite the lack of a clue. Unlike their first three photographs, the sisters were a little bit closer to the camera this time.
The movie 'Grease' made a splash at the box office, so we assume these beautiful ladies watched it as well. On the other hand, if they were into action and adventure, they probably saw 'Superman' instead. Nevertheless, despite the popularity of the two films, the most famous person in America that year was boxer Muhammad Ali.
1979 – A New Decade Is Coming
It was the year that the energetic song 'My Sharona' became a hit, ultimately becoming a timeless classic. Just as the tune dominated the airwaves, the Brown sisters posed like skilled models in front of the camera. Bebe and Laurie, in particular, gave us supermodel vibes. With the way Heather was squinting, it's obvious this was snapped outdoors.
Can we see a hint of mountains in the background? Maybe the group was on vacation and decided to take a photo for their project. A year to go, and these women and Nixon would welcome a new decade – the '80s! Too bad their pictures were in black and white since the upcoming decade is famous for its loud colors.
1980 - Happy For The New Decade
For the most part, all photos prior to this one showed the girls in a serious mood; never before did Nixon capture them in a joyful spirit. It seems like this year was different, as for the first time we can see the Brown sisters' smiles!
It could be that they were happy for the start of a new decade, or maybe they were celebrating one of the siblings' significant life achievements. Perhaps the photographer explored their humorous side to make them laugh, but whatever the case, it was a good switch from the pensive pictures of the previous four years.
1981 - Should We Join The Workforce?
Currently, the minimum work wage is around $7.25 per hour, but back in 1981, things were understandably different; people took home $3.10 an hour. That was probably what the Brown sisters were thinking of when this image was taken, with all of them, save for Bebe, in their twenties and ready to start working.
Considering the times, one might be surprised that a pack of 'Lays' chips was $1.98 back then, and now it costs $1 more. Maybe the siblings were wondering how they would sustain themselves as they grow older, and who can blame them? Also, isn't it a great thing that the wages have increased given nowadays' high cost of living?
1982 - Bracing The Cold
While we're used to the Brown siblings gracing us with their incredible fashion tastes, they chose to do something different in this picture. Maybe they were out on vacation somewhere, and if their heavy outfits are anything to go by, it was during wintertime that Nixon took the photo.
We wonder whether it was planned before or it was a spontaneous decision, but whatever the case, it worked perfectly. One more thing; did you know that back in 1981, the 'Sony Walkmans' cost about $130? Nowadays, the price of the gadgets has skyrocketed, and they range from $100 to a whopping $4,000! The difference time can make!
1983 - Did The Sisters Play Jenga?
When the famous block-stacking game 'Jenga' was released into the world in 1983 at the London Toy Fair, it quickly spread, with everyone wanting to get their hands on one. We wonder if the sisters had played it by the time the yearly image was taken. And if so, who was good at it?
What we can be sure of, though, is their ability to exude emotion with every snap. Take this particular one, for example, where any person looking at it feels like they're having a conversation with the women. This is brilliant, to say the least, and Nixon undoubtedly played a massive part in making it happen.
1984 - Is That Nixon?
Following this photo series, we are used to seeing the four sisters in different settings, and the only thing we know about the photographer is that he's called Nixon. Today might be our lucky day, though, as this year's episode features the lad, albeit as a shadow.
It seems like they were soaking in some sun, sea, and sand when they took the picture, and we aren't sure if Nixon deliberately let his shadow feature in the end product. Either way, we aren't complaining if that's the only evidence of Nixon we have seen so far. At least now we know what he looks like, kind of.
1985 - 10 Years Later
We can't imagine how hard it is to commit to something this big, yet the Brown sisters have been consistent in their photography project for a whole decade. Time does fly when you're having the time of your life, especially with family.
In this 1985 masterpiece, Nixon captured a moment when all the sisters appear to be staring right at us with each of their eyes telling a different story of their souls. What makes this photo even more memorable for us is that 'New Coke' was released that same year, although it was gone by 2002. The good news is our favorite Coke flavor is still in the run!
1986 - No Personal Space
It's good to spice up things a bit, don't you think? The new Brown sisters' photograph is a full picture of themselves flaunting their retro fashion taste. Nixon was either tired of the monotony or chose to document a happy moment that reveals the smiles on their faces.
This may be our favorite shot of the series because the sisters look so close. The tenderness and familiarity exuded from the picture may be because they are all up in each other's space to fit in the frame. That same year, a musical highlight was Dionne Warwick's 'That's What Friends Are For.' If Warwick had seen this picture, the song would have been about sisters for sure!
1987 - In The Middle
Looking at the sisters' 1987 shot, we can't help but wonder why Nixon placed the oldest and the youngest in center stage. It may be because he was trying to highlight the age difference between the two, or maybe he was just being romantic by placing his wife, Bebe, in the spotlight.
Whatever the reason may be, it was a great year not only for Nixon and his wife, but for soup lovers as well, since the price of 'Campbell's' soup was 99 cents at the time. We are still celebrating this win as we can find this soup for the same price even today.
1988 - Prints For The Win
No matter what century we're in, we can never go wrong with prints! This is the first time in this project that one of the sisters is seen in a printed outfit. Everyone had had their shot in the spotlight, and that year was Laurie's turn.
In a cheetah-printed shirt, she is standing out. Curiosity is taking the best side of us, as we are trying to figure out its color. Black and white pictures were alright back then, but aren't we glad technology has added color into our lives? Speaking of fun additions, the film 'Rain Man' was released that year and we bet at least one of the siblings must have seen it!
1989 - Hide And Seek
We all enjoyed a game of hide-and-seek as kids, didn't we? From this 1989 snapshot, we can see that the Brown sisters enjoyed this game, too. Heather hides behind Mimi, who is in the foreground. What they were trying to hide we don't know for sure; it could be something as serious as a pregnancy or as trivial as a fashion disaster.
It's important to keep some things away from the prying eye of the public because it is none of their concern. Of concern to the public that year was the decrease in the price of the 'Sony Walkman' from $130 to $79. We wish they had remained as cheap over the years but we can only dream!
1990 - First Winter of the Decade
The '90s was a crazy decade for everything, from pop culture to the automobile industry. The sisters' fashion sense resembles the peak of '90s fashion which featured denim over denim. It's interesting to note the siblings' bond in these clothes. While Mimi and Bebe are sporting denim, Laurie and Heather are wearing fleece. The sisters are huddled together for the first winter of the decade.
The decade also witnessed one of the most nail-biting car crashes in history. It was when the first car crash with an airbag occurred. The riders didn't sustain major injuries and were saved from a life-threatening accident, thanks to the introduction of airbags.
1991 - They All Look Alike
The sisters have been taking these pictures for over 15 years now, and you can't really tell one from the other. When people are younger, it's always difficult to tell family resemblances, but as they grow up, we notice the similarities.
This picture is one of the best from the Brown sisters because it makes our eyes squint to notice how they all look alike. You can't certainly tell which one's Heather, Laurie, or Mimi! 1991 was also the year when the hit 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' got everybody grooving to Kurt Cobain. Interestingly, 'Teen Spirit' was the perfume worn by Kurt's girlfriend, and so he was inspired to write a song about it!
1992 - Mimi Might Be Having a Baby Soon?
One thing we know about Nixon is that he has a particular style of taking pictures. He's very specific about the way he wants the Brown sisters posed. For Nixon, these pictures should drop clues about the lives of the sisters without disclosing too much about them. This picture particularly makes one wonder if Mimi was pregnant.
Her loose floral dress gets one thinking about the possibility that she's about to have a baby. The way Heather holds Mimi and looks at her makes one question if there's a baby bump she's eyeing. Yet, there's no way of actually finding out whether she was indeed pregnant or not!
1993 - A Late Night Gathering
This photo is very different from the rest because it was snapped sometime in the night. Most of the pictures from this collection happen to be taken around midday or early evening. This one, as it appears, has been clicked using a flash. Therefore, one can assume that the sisters were dressed up for the post-sunset cool breeze in light sweaters.
The click was most likely a premeditated one. It's highly unlikely that Nixon wouldn't get a good shot throughout the day and wait until the night for a picture. Anyway, the photo forms a beautiful frame with the sisters standing close to one another against the backdrop of the night.
1994 - The Brown Sisters Look Straight Into The Frame
The Brown sisters nestled together for this click by Nixon in the year 1994. It was in this year that a wild mud fight occurred in a concert in Woodstock. Green Day was performing on stage, and the crowd got out of hand, which later resulted in the guitarist getting injured.
One wonders whether the Brown Sisters attended the concert! After all, they often dress up like a mixture of Rock and Indie. This picture is a perfect example of the same. Interestingly, Nixon clicked a similar one eight years ago in an indoor space. The resemblance of both photos makes us curious.
1995 - The Warmth Of Sisterhood
How beautiful the feeling is, seeing the four sisters hug and hold each other's arms, showing support to one another. It's like a way of saying, "I got you, sister," without verbally speaking it; and from this, we know none of them was ever truly lonely.
Being past their thirties in this picture, the sisters had probably gone through some rough situations in life, and they posed this way to remind themselves of their sisterly love and how far they had come. For them, no matter what storms come their way, they'll always hold each other tight and land on their feet.
1996 - Their Eyes Tell It All
This year, the Browns seemed to have taken the photo while facing the sun's direction because their eyes clearly show they've been affected by the rays. Look at Heather and Mimi almost closing their eyes; they don't look too comfortable in that lighting.
Also, Mimi and Laurie are matching in polo necks even though what makes the former stand out is her held-back hair despite the other sisters letting theirs down. This proves that, despite their similarities, they do show some differences in their styles. Lastly, we can't ignore the unseen fifth person in the picture: Nixon, whose presence is signified by his shadow.
1997 - Carefree In The Wind
All the sisters must feel free as the wind blows their hair, revealing their beautiful facial structures. We see Mimi and Laurie wearing their earrings, but Heather and Bebe don't have any on. Perhaps they planned to match two by two.
While Bebe is showing off her clavicles in a sleeveless top, Mimi is doing the exact opposite: wearing a sweater that reveals only a tiny part of her neck. The lighting graced this photo, showing them clearly, except we can see a slight shadow on Laurie's clothes. Perhaps Nixon was trying to signal his presence at that moment with the shadow, or it could have no particular reason behind it.
1998 - Grey And Black Is The Theme
Are those sunglasses on Mimi's head? Rocking her look in earrings and glasses, she sure is a stylish one. Also, here it looks like the sisters agreed for one pair to wear grey and the other black.
We notice Laurie holding Bebe with both hands, one on her shoulder and the other on her left arm. This makes us wonder if Bebe was going through a difficult time, because her posing with a slanted head could communicate that something might have happened to her. If this is the case, then the other three sisters standing behind Bebe shows that they got her back.
1999 - Their Bond Keeps Getting Stronger
Why is Bebe not in a sweater when all the others are keeping warm? Are they conveying a message? Well, maybe they are, because we can see the Brown sisters hugging to keep each other warm in that 1999 cold weather.
Laurie seems quite serious and protective with her arms holding both Bebe and Mimi. At the same time, Heather's head isn't as close to the rest; she's leaving a gap between herself and the other sisters' heads. We can't help but wonder if this framing was intentional by Nixon, but either way, his photography skills were obviously top notch.
2000 - Don't Mess With Us
Did someone try messing up with the Brown sisters? Because we see Mimi and Laurie standing like guards with their hands locked in front of them, while the other two are a little behind. Notice that Bebe looks a little bit scared, and we can't even see her hands; unlike Heather, who's posing with one hand placed at her waist.
It's like conveying that Mimi and Laurie have particularly strong personalities and are always ready to stand up and protect their sisters in any situation. Laurie posing with her chin up seems to communicate, "I see you, so don't even try to hurt any one of us."
2001 - Crossing Over To A New Century
The sisters have crossed over to the 21st century in style, as Mimi dresses in floral while Laurie is wearing her Hawaiian shirt. Like 1997, Bebe is embracing her body in a black sleeveless top.
It's like Nixon's visual plan with this shot was for Laurie to stand closer to the camera, appearing to be the leader, while the rest stand a bit farther back. It's not the first time we've seen them holding each other; for this reason, it's safe to assume once again that the Brown sisters have a strong, inseparable bond. Bebe, in particular, looks like their guardian angel with her arms spread on the sisters' shoulders.
2002 - Clad In Polo
After sporting Hawaiian-vibe outfits the previous year, it looks like the Brown sisters went on a shopping spree to their nearest 'Ralph Lauren' store. Well, their matching Polo t-shirts speak so, and needless to say, they rocked the style. However, we can't help but wonder why Heather broke the dress code; maybe she wished to add a bit of her individual vogue.
Now, to shift focus away from their collared shirts, 2002 also marked the recontinuation of the classic 'Coca Cola' refreshment. The soft drink became a party staple through the years, and we are confident the ladies must have given it a shot.
2003 - A High-Tech Prop
A close look and one will surely notice how the sisters donned more casual attires for this year's picture, except for Laurie. She chose to rock that cool black Polo yet again, and we cent-percent agree. Who wouldn't repeat their favorite t-shirt, after all? Besides, her look-away pose strikes decent model vibes.
Another not-to-be-missed addition, the flip cellphone carefully tucked on Heather's waistband makes us think how much technology has evolved. Of course, this fashionable gadget boomed in that decade, but it would qualify as nothing more than a vintage décor item today. Still, we are curious if the other three Brown ladies had similar phones too.
2004 - Back to The Banks
Now, one might need to scroll back a few times to realize that Heather, more often than not, takes a back-shoulder position in most of the photos. While we couldn't quite decide why, but this year she confidently shines in the frontline alongside Laurie, who, for some unknown reason, is giving her sister 'a look.'
Bearing in mind that the family photographer, Nixon, drops hints through the manner the ladies are poised in, we wonder if some inside joke was going on when the yearly shot was taken. Or, maybe it simply was a significant 12 months for Heather and Laurie career-wise, given the focus they enjoyed in this picture.
2005 - Sisterly Supervision
If someone revisits the last few shots of this unique family-bonding project, Laurie would certainly catch their attention: her eyes have been mostly perched away from the camera. The message, we assume, is she constantly cares and looks out for her sisters, which is something we totally root for.
Now, looking at the venue setting, it seems the ladies are out somewhere, and the only thing that crosses our minds right now is if they spotted anyone wearing colanders around. Although a utensil, it was often used as headgear by "Pastafarians" that year. So, it wouldn't be a shocker if someone from the community had photobombed the Browns!
2006 - A Sunkissed Shot
We have witnessed the Brown sisters change and grow through the years, and the happiness their pictures bring to all is undeniable. Nature seems to favor this group of 'four plus one' whenever they click their annual shot, and here it is evident from their sun-lit faces. The ladies have indeed aged gracefully, proudly owning those fine lines and grey hair. As one would expect, they look bright and beautiful.
Coincidentally, 2006 came as good news for movie enthusiasts, who could now store multiple long-length videos and experience high-quality screening with the newly launched Blu-Ray discs. That, to be honest, was a notable upgrade from the formerly used DVDs.
2007 - It's Bebe In The Limelight
By now, it is as clear as day that the sisters love shuffling up their poses, and it's Bebe's turn to take the foreground this year. Looking at her posture and comfort in receiving all the attention, we feel she is a pretty confident lady in real life. But hey, did we forget to mention her lovely bracelet? It brings Bebe's whole aesthetic together and looks quite perfect.
The other ladies, by the way, take a step back in this shot and seem to stand like constant pillars of support for each other. No wonder the quartet has stood united through everything life threw at them.
2008 - Hello, Mr. Cameraman
We should agree that the sisters enjoy leaving their hair loose and natural, but for this year's shot, Laurie decided to slay a clean tied-back hairdo—or maybe it was Nixon who took on the role of the stylist and told her to do so.
Nonetheless, she looked effortless in it, and we are trying to picture what the shot would have looked like if all the remaining ladies had donned the same style. On the other hand, we assume Nixon deliberately featured his fingertips in the frame to say hello to all of us, and we didn't mind this improvisation at all. We'd love a face reveal though, wouldn't we?
2009 - Together For Life
The Browns undoubtedly created a cherishing memoir for themselves through this touching photography endeavor, but it became much more than that. People who love these pictures grew along with the sisters and became a part of their story. Heather, Mimi, Bebe, and Laurie stuck together and had each other's back. That being said, can we take a second to gush over the way Laurie is resting her head on her sibling's shoulder?
Clearly, more than anything, they taught us family is above all. As a random thought, we are curious if the ladies partied on the 'Cali Swag' number 'Teach Me How To Dougie' that dropped around that time.
2010 - Look Away When I Nod
It looks like Nixon assigned the sisters a specific eye angle this time, doesn't it? Or it can be candid, too. There are fair chances that two of the Browns found something interesting going on in the background and decided to trade a glimpse. We wonder what caught their eye!
Bebe, however, has her eyes fixed into the camera, and no brownie points for guessing the reason; it's her husband behind the lens, of course! The love shining through her eyes clearly states how smitten she is by her man so many years into their marriage. Interestingly, the pair had already walked down the aisle before the first photo of this series was clicked.
2011 - A Group Embrace
With more than 40 years in this project's span, people have noticed many trends in the yearly shots, though there's a thing that one might have missed. We think that Nixon may have overseen it too, but it looks like Heather loves placing her hand onto Mimi's shoulder or arm. Yes, she did so in many other snaps, and Bebe joins her little game this year.
The Brown women are all snuggled up, making us think it was already wintering when they were clicked. Now, with the start of a new decade, we wonder if they had heard about the millennial lingo additions 'LOL' and 'OMG,' both of which were interestingly featured in the 'Oxford English Dictionary' that same year.
2012 - Fake Doomsday Alert For The World
Thankfully, the predictions of French astrologer Nostradamus regarding the doomsday turned out to be false. So, in 2012 we were just as alive and happy as the Brown siblings, who paid no heed to such conjectures and gathered to click their customary annual photo. And look how lovingly they closed up in the frame together!
Could the sisters have thought it was their last picture together? Perhaps not. There's hardly a speck of anxiety on their beautiful faces. Despite our worries about the Earth perishing, the world danced to the beats of 'Gangnam Style' that year. We guess it was a great way to celebrate life on this planet!
2013 - A Long Intermission From The Lens
Anyone would adore this picture, after which the sisters took a break from their annual custom for four years. The most annoying thing about photos is that they don't allow viewers to perceive more than what the photographer wishes to exhibit. Although the cause for the intermission has never been disclosed, the siblings did return to their photo-taking tradition eventually.
Yet, the Brown siblings weren't the only ones to pause their project in 2013. Pope Benedict XVI also made history by stepping down from the papacy in the same year. Well, he did become the first Pope to resign this way in six centuries.
2017 - Time To Wrap Up
Finally, we have the concluding picture of this fantastic series, which has a plethora of the usual radiance on the siblings' faces. Over the decades, nothing could fade their affection towards each other. Beyond the loose skin and wrinkles, there are happy hearts that know the comfort of an unbreakable sisterly bond.
Although Nicholas Nixon has photographed a particular moment, it is enough for us to speculate how the Browns connect beyond the lens. The entire project was perhaps the best way to celebrate sisterhood every year, and we couldn't be more delighted to have been a part of this journey with them.